Machine for lasting stitchdown shoes



Aug. 28, 1934.

B. T. LEVEQUE MACHINE FOR LASTING STITCHDOWN SHOES 4'Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 9, 1932 Wzess 1934- I B. T. LEVEQUE I 1,972,023

MACHINE FOR LASTING STITCHDOWN SHQES Filed Dec. 9, 1932 4 Sheets-Shee t 2 1934- B. T. LEVEQUE 1,972,023

I MACHINE FOR LASTING STITCHDOWN SHOES Filed Dec. 9, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 28,1934. B. T. LEVEQUE MACHINE FOR LASTING STITCHDOWN SHOES Filed Dec. 9, 1932 Eng-6' .160 I 7 \f' 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Aug. 28, 1934 MACHINE Fon LASTIN G STITCHDOWN SHOES Bernard T. Lcveque, Wenham, Mass., assignor to' United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Paterson, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application December 9, 1932, Serial No. 646,460

16 Claims.

The present invention relates to sewing machines, and is herein shown and described as embodied in a machine for lasting stitchdown shoes similar to that disclosed in the U. S. patent of the present inventor No. 1,864,510, dated June 21, 1932, in which a pair of work engaging rolls and a stationary work guide cooperate in such a way as to cause the upper to be drawn over the last progressively along the shoe.

The objects of the invention are to provide an improved and more easily operated form of this general type of lasting machine which is capable of lasting and stitching certain classes of work not heretofore conveniently handled on such machines, and to provide improved devices and combinations of devices in stitchdown lasting machines which are also capable of advantageous use in connection with sewing machines other than those particularly intended for lasting purposes.

It is the usual practice in the manufacture of stitchdown shoes to assemble the sole and the upper on a last having a substantially fiat bottom which permits sewing together of the parts without tipping the shoe longitudinally or transversely to any great. extent during the formation of the seam. Also when an ordinary sewing machine is employed it is usually stopped at various points along the seam to permit the upper to be stretched manually over the last while the shoe is stationary. Where a last is employed having a high arch or instep difliculty is encountered both in sewing the upper to the sole and in stretching the upper v properly when sewed on the ordinary type of sewgreater tipping and also usually greater swinging movements to the shoe, particularly along the instep portions of the seam. It has been found that stitchdown shoes may be readily sewed and lasted in a continuous operation on a machine similar to that disclosed in the present inventors patent above referred to, even though the parts are assembled on a last having a high arch or instep, if certain changes and re-arrangements of parts are made to adapt the machine for this type of workso that the shoe may be held in proper relation to the machine at all. points throughout the seam.

A feature of the present invention, therefore, contemplates the provision in a machine for lasting stitchdown shoes having a pair of work engaging and feeding rolls which are adapted to operate in such a way as to tension the upper over the last and suitable sewing mechanism, of anarrow upwardly extending work support being machine, dig to the necessity of imparting tween which and one of the rolls the sewing mechanism operates, the work support being formed to permit the shoe to be tipped so that the instep portions of the seam may be sewed while the rolls act to draw the upper over the last uniformly. It is desirable, in order that the machine operate to the best advantage, to adjust the vertical position of the work support relatively to the adjacent feeding roll. In the machine described in the above identified patent, the arrangement for mounting and adjusting certain of the operating parts of the machine is such that vertical adjustment of the work support cannot be made effectivelyby the operator. In the machine of the present invention these operating and adjustment regulating parts are carried by the machine frame behind the work support so as to provide sufficient space for manipulation of the shoe at the sides of the work support, and a separate member on which the work support is slidable in a vertical direction is readily removable from the frame at the front of the machine, thereby permitting the shoe to be tipped and swung to the necessary degree in presenting the edges of the sole and upper to the machine.

Further features of the invention consist in certain constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed, the advantages of which will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which is illustrated a machine embodying the several features of the invention Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of the sewing and lasting mechanism of the machine; Fig. 2 is a detail view, partly in section of a portion of the oiling system for the machine; Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation looking from the side oppositefrom that shown in Fig. 1, on a. slightly enlarged scale of the front portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 3, some of which are shown in section; Fig. 5 is a still further enlarged view of the arrangement of parts at the front of the machine, shown mainly in section along the line H of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a detail view of the thread tension and pull-off devices of the machine looking from the side opposite that shown in-Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a view of the same devices along the line 77 of Fig. 6; Fig. 8is a view similar to Fig. 6 but partly in section along the line 8--8 of Fig. 9 showing the position of the parts when the machine is running; Fig. 9 is a view insection taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 8; Figs. 10 and 11 are detail sectional views showing the positions of the parts with the thread released and with the tension in operating position, taken along the lines 10-10 and 11-11 of Figs. 6 and 8, respectively; Fig. 12 is a view in front elevation of a portion of a machine including the needle and the upper engaging feed rollon the same scale as in Fig. 5; Fig. 13 is a view-in sidefelevation of the parts shown in Fig. 12; and Fig. 14 is a detail view in section of the needle bar taken along the line 1414 of Fig. 12.

The sewing mechanism of the machine illustrated in the drawings is mounted in the main frame 2 and comprises a reciprocating straight eye-pointed needle 4 and a loop taker 6 of familiar design, the latter being fixed upon one end of the drive shaft 8 of the machine and cooperating with the needle to form a single thread chain stitch. The needle is supported in a needle bar 10 having bearings in the frame of the machine with capacity for movement up and down. It is actuated by means of a bell crank 12pivoted on a stud 14 fixed in themain frame. Alongside the bell crank 12 upon the stud 14, there is pivoted asecond bell crank 16 which is adapted to actuate the first bell crank 12 and is driven by a connecting rod 18 attached at its lower end to a crank portion 20 of the drive shaft 8. The bell cranks 12 and 16 are connected together for driving the needle bar from the main shaft by a pair of co-engaging lugs formed on the bell cranks and a latch 22 pivoted on the bell crank 12 and adapted to hook over a pin 24 in the free end of the bell crank 16. When the latch is engaged with the pin 24, the twobell cranks act as a single lever transmitting reciprocatory motion from the connecting rod to the needle bar 10. The latch is equipped with a tail adapted to be depressed in order to unhook the latch and suspend operation of the bell crank 12 when the stitching action is to be stopped. To operate the latch, the latch tail is engaged by a pin 26 fixed in the end ofan arm 28 fastened to a treadle controlled rock shaft 30. which extendsoutwardly from the side of themachine through a bearing formed in the frame. The rock shaft 30 is connected with a starting and stopping treadle (not shown) by a rod 32 pivotally connected to an arm 34 fixed to the outwardly extending end of the shaft 30. The main drive shaft 8 is rotated by a belt passing over a pulley 36 rotatingloosely on the shaft and a clutch comprising a driven clutch member 38 arranged to rotate with the shaft but slidably mounted thereon for engagement and disengagement with the driving pulley 36. The clutch is the same as described and claimed in the co-pending appli cation for U. S. patent of Newhall, Serial No.

644,992, filed November 30, 1932 and is operated by a yoke 40 pivotally mounted on a shaftn42 carrying a horizontal arm 44 which extends at its free end in proximity to the treadle rod 32. A collar 46 is clamped to the treadle rod in a positionto engage and operate the arm44 :whe'n the treadle is depressed for causing the clutch to be engaged. When' the treadle is released, 'a compression spring-48 between the arm 44 and a. portion of the frame'causes the clutch tobe disengaged and the drive shaft to be brought to rest. This arrangement provides means for stopping the needle'bar without. appreciable shock or jar, the needle barbeing disconnected from the driving means whilethe' driving means are lositng their-momentum and gradually coming to res 1 I To effect the lasting of a stitchdown shoe Simultaneous with the sewing operation, there is provided a pair of intermittently rotated rolls 50 and 52 adapted to grip between their peripheral surfaces marginal portions of the upper and sole of a stitchdown shoe (see Fig. 5), after these parts have been assembled on a last. The lower roll 52 is mounted directly upon the reduced forward end of the main shaft 8 with capacity for rotation with respect to the shaft, the rear end of its hub having lugs received within appropriate notches in the front end of a helical gear member 54 for driving the lower roll. The top roll'50 is mounted to rotate on a stud 56 fixed in one arm of a lever member 58 that is pivoted on a stud 60 carried by a separable portion 62 of the main frame 2. The inner end of the hub of the top roll 50 is provided with lugs which are received within appropriately shaped notches in the hub of a helical gear 64 that is also mounted for rotation upon the stud 56. The means for driving the I lasting rolls is the same as that described in the above-identified patent and comprises intermittently operated Horton clutches 66 and 68 provided with gears 70 and 72 meshing respectively with the gears 54 and 64.

To cause the feed rolls to move toward and from gripping engagement with the work, a toggle is provided comprising a yielding link 74 and an arm 76 fixed to a shaft '78 rotatable in bearings in the machine frame. The link'74 is-pivotally connected to the arm 76 at one end and slidable through an opening passing through the rollcarrying arm of the lever member 58, the roll 50 being maintained in engagement with the work through the action of a spring 80 sliding loosely on the link '74 to force the arm 58 downwardly when the members of the toggle are in alinement.

In starting the machine in operation, the top roll is lowered by the action of a hook 82 that is pivotally connected with an arm 84 carried upon the end of the treadle controlled rock shaft 30.

The hook 82 is adapted to engage a stud 86 projecting laterally from an arm 88 also fixed to the shaft '78, the hook being equipped with a spring 90 coiled around the pivot connecting it with the arm 84 and arranged to hold the hook against the stud 86. When the treadle is depressed, the resulting rotation of the rock shaft 30 moves the hook endw'lse away from the rock shaft until the toggle linkage is carried past center. After the toggle has passed center, the hook is disengaged from the stud 86 by the push of a screw 92 threaded through the end of an arm 94 secured to the shaft 78 and thereafter the hook and shaft 30 are permitted to continue their movement while the main driving clutch is actuated to start the machine.

The shoe is supported in the machine by the lower feed roll 52 and by a work support 95 betweenwhich and the roll 52 sufficient space is provided to accommodate movements of the needle in passing through-the work and of the loop take! 6 in receiving the thread from the needle.

The top feed r'oll 50 i's'adapt'ed to be rotated at'a rate of speed greater than'that of the lower feed roll 52. with theresult that the upper is drawn a.

slight amount around the last in the general plane of the sole by the action of the, top roll and 1 the fullness of the upper is disposed of with a .smooth uniformity whichprevents the formation of vis ible gathers. The oute'r'end of the stud '56 supporting the upper roll 50 carries a guard and guide 98 which acts to force the shoe transversely t9 the direction of feed, and thuscoacts with the rolls to exert a pull to draw and tension the upper over the last.

To sever the thread at the end of a seam, a curved threadcutter knife 100 is arranged to operate between the work support 96 and the lower roll 52 and sever one side of the loop of needle thread while held by the loop taker. A thread tension is also provided comprising a pair of disks 102 on a shaft 104 carryinga' coil spring 105 and a thumb nut 166 to compress the spring against the disks 102. In order to'insure that sufficient thread will be drawn through the thread tension to form the initial stitch when the machine is started, a pull-01f 107 is provided on a lever 108 pivoted on the shaft 104 fixed on the machine frame. The lever 108 is connected by means of a link 110 to the end of an arm 112 that is fixed upon the control shaft 30 within the machine, the arrangement being such that as the treadle is allowed to rise and rock the shaft 30 in stopping the machine, the pull-off draws aside sufficient thread between a pair of guides 114 and 116 to provide slack for the downward stroke of the needle when the machine is again started. The machine as thus far described is substantially the same and operates in substantially the same manner as in the machine disclosed in the present I inventors patent.

According to a feature of the present invention, the work support 96 as compared with that in the patented machine is considerably reduced in width across the front throughout its vertical height so that from its uppermost work engaging surface downwardly, it does not project substantially beyond the side edges of the 'roll 52 nor is it of substantially greater width than the 'diameter of the roll below the lower edge of the roll. The work support is vertically adjustable relative to the roll 52 in a guideway 118 formed in a block 120 mounted in a projecting portion of the part 62 of the frame. To prevent lateral movement of the work support, a tongue 122 formed on the front face of the work support 96 engages the guideway in the block 120 and a bolt 124, passing loosely through a hole through the front of the block, is threaded into the work support for clamping the work support in vertically adjusted position. To secure the block 120 to the frame part 62, a guideway 126 is formed in the frame 62 co-operating with a'tongue 128 on the block. 120 and a bolt 130 passing upwardly from beneath the frame 62 through an open-ended slot 132 in I the frame 62 is threaded into the block 120. When the bolt 130 is loosened, the block 120 and the work support 96 may be removed by sliding the bolt 130 out of the slot 132. To position the work support properly and prevent it from being located too closely to the thread cutter and roll 52, a stop screw 134 passes through the block 120 and extends into engagement with the headed end of a shaft 136 fixed in the frame. The screw 134 is threaded in the block 120 and is locked in place by a lock nut 138.

In the patented machine, the work support was mounted upon an end bearing plate'by bolts having heads extending upwardly from the sides of the work support adjacent the roll 52. On the end plate were also mounted certain operating parts of the machine suchas the shaft for supporting the thread cutter, an adjustment for regulating the movement of the thread cutter, and a saddle adjustably mounted on the end plate for movement relative to thelower roll 52 for effecting a braking action on the rolls. The mountings and adjustments for these parts prevented the work support and its mountings from being substantially reduced in width. Also the thread cutter of the machine disclosed in the patent was operated by an arm extending toward the right from its point of pivotal mounting on the end bearing plate of the machine and operating connections were provided extending outside the frame of the machine to cooperate with this thread cutter arm. When a stitchdown shoe having a high instep was being lasted, these connectlons would interfere with the manipulation of the shoe, inasmuch as it is desirable for the operator to guide the shoe with both hands at the right of the machine.

In the machine illustrated in the drawings, the thread cutter knife 100 is secured to a lever 140 pivotally mounted on the headed shaft 136 against which the stop screw 134 bears, the shaft 136 being -mounted in the frame part 62. A spring 142 for actuating the cutter is stretched between a lug extending from the lever and a pin 144 on the frame. The lever 140 instead of extending toward the right of the work support is shown in the drawings extending towards the left and connections including an arm 146 pivotally mounted on the frame at 148, a link 150 connected between the arm 146 and an arm 152 secured to the shaft 78, are arranged to operate the knife in the same manner as in the patented machine referred to. As in the patented machine, when the machine is brought to rest, the hook 82 acts on the pin 86 to rotate the shaft 78 and the rotation is continued by the action of a spring 154 compressed at the end of a cylindrical recess in the frame 62 by a pin 156 thrusting at its upper end against the arm 146. Thismovement releases .the' arm 146 from engagement with the lever 140 and permits the spring 142 to cause the cutter knife to sever the thread. When the machine is again started, the shaft 78 is rocked in the reverse direction to move the arm 146 against the lever 140 and withdraw the thread cutter from cutting position. The brake saddle indicated at 158 for the lower roll 52, m the present machine is secured by screws 160 to the frame part 62, the holes in the saddle being sufliciently large to permit proper adjustment relative to the lower roll. The extreme position of the thread cutter knife is determined by a stop consisting of an eccentric sleeve 162 surrounding a screw 164 extending into the upper part of the brake saddle. The eccentric may be rotated on the. screw to the desired position ,and the screw then turned to clamp the eccentric in place so that the arm of the lever 140 which supports the thread cutter knife 100 will engage the eccentric in the proper cutting position of the knife.

With this arrangement, the work support may readily be adjusted by the operator in a vertical direction without interfering with the thread cutter knife or stitch forming devices of the machine. Mounting the thread cutter on the machine frame and the adjustable stop on the brake saddle behind the work support allows the use of a narrow work support so that the toe and heel portions of a high arch shoe may be guided about the ,work support without interfering with laterallyextending portions of the machine. Adjustment or replacement of the parts mounted on the machine frame behind the work support may readily be accomplished by loosening the bolt extending below the machine frame and the work support removed from the machine. The operating lever 140 and connections for actuating the knife 100 in the present and swinging movements ofthe shoe.

In the machine disclosed in the patent, above identified, the upper roll supporting arm is adjustably mounted upon the reduced eccentric portion of a headed stud rotatably mounted in the frame of the machine and clamped to the arm by a nut threaded on the stud to clamp the shoulder formed at the end of the reduced portion against the arm. When the parts so arranged became worn, the clamping nutfor securing the eccentric to the arm would also cause the headed portion of the stud to bind on the bearing in the frame, thus causingdifliculty with the operation of the machine.

In the machine as illustrated, the upper roll carrying arm of the lever 58 is fulcrumed loosely on an enlarged eccentric portion of the stud 60 which is secured in the portion 62 of the machine frame by a nut 168 threaded on a reduced portion of the stud and acting to clamp the shoulder at the end of the reduced portion to the frame. To prevent lateral displacementof the lever 58 on the stud, a slotted clamp 170 is secured to the enlarged portion of the stud by a bolt 172.

With this construction, the lateral movement of the lever 58 is restricted and may readily be regulated so as to prevent binding of the lever,

I due to lengthwise movement of the stud in clamping it in place in the frame. Movement of the roll into engagement with the roll 52 in the present machine is prevented by contact of a set screw 174 against the rear vertical side of the frame portion 62. The set screw 1'74 is carried by the lever 58 on an arm extending downwardly from the portion surrounding the stud 60.

In the machine of the patent above referred to, at the end of a seam the needle is disengaged from the work and the thread cutter is actuated through the connections from the shaft corresponding to the shaft '78, as shown in the drawings, the thread being held under a slight tension due to the drag of the tension device. The machine of the present application is equipped with means for releasing the tension from the thread so that the work may be readily withdrawn without severing the thread, if desired.

To cause the tension to be released from the thread, the lever 108on the shaft 104 is formed with notches to cooperate with a pair of laterally extending lugs 1'76 on a plate 178 carried by the shaft 104 between the discs 102 and the lever 108. The upper end of the plate 178 is slotted and surrounds a pin 180 extending from the frame so as to prevent the plate 178 from rotating with the lever 108. During sewing, the lever 108 is in a position in which the lugs 176 ride on the outer surface of the lever, as shown in Figs. 9 and 11. When the machine is brought to rest and the pull-off is operated to withdraw thread, the lugs thread by the tension discs 102, a spring thread clip 185 is attached to the needle bar by a screw 186 threaded into a lug formed on the side of the bar. The thread engaging portion of the clip is bent at right angles to the part through which the screw 186 passes, and cooperates with the side of theneedle bar to produce a slight drag on the thread as it moves towards the needle. The free end of the clip is perforated with a slot entering the perforation so that it may readily be threaded,

and it has been found that with the use of the clip on starting the machine the thread is more reliably carried down with the needle as it enters the work to form the initial stitch. The tension produced on the thread by this clip is less than the tension produced by the discs 102 and does not interfere with the operation of the machine while sewing. The tension produced by the clip is, however, suflicient to overcome the resistance offered to the thread by the guiding devices between the tension discs 102 and the needle after the pull-off has operated to give up its thread, so that the thread is carried down with the needle with certainty and there is no liability of the thread being withdrawn from the eye of the r needle.

In operating on shoes made of patent or other specially processedv leathers, due to the frictional engagement of the side of the shoe along the work guide 98, it has been found desirable to 3.,2,"

lubricate the work engaging surface of the guide. The operating parts of the machine described in the inventors patent are supplied with a bath of oil distributed by a system combining splash and pump feed, the supply of oil being retained in the lower portion of the head where it is picked up by a pump 188 located within the base and driven from the main drive shaft 8. The oil is pumped through a pipe 190 to the upper part of the machine where it ordinarily is directed into the bearings of the various moving parts. According to the present lubricating arrangement, the pump also supplies oil to a gravity fed metering device in theform of an oil cup 192 through a connecting pipe 194 between a reservoir 196 for the oil cup and the pipe 190. The amount;bf oil conducted to the work guide 98 is regulated by a needle valve control 198, the rate of feed being observed through a glass covered sight opening 200 in the connection below the oil cup 192. The oil is maintained at a constant level in the reservoir 196 by the pressure from the pump 188 and any excess oil drains out through the overflow connection 202 and is returned to the supply within the frame of the machine. The oil cup 192 is mounted on a support 204 secured to the upper part of the machine frame and the outlet from the oil cup passes through the support, entering a valve 206 through a pipe 208 extending from the rear of the machine towards the front, and thence the oil is fed by gravity through a funnel shaped passage 210 in the work guide to the outer work engaging surface thereof.

When the machine is brought to rest the valve 206 is actuated to cut off the supply of oil to the work guide, the back pressure preventing the oil from leaving the oil cup 192 so that when the machine is again started the oil will flow at once at the proper rate and no superfluous oil will accumulate on the work guide. The valve 206 is actuated by an arm 212 pivotally connected by a link 214 to the upper end of the link 110 for operating the thread tension release and pull-off so that movement of the foot treadle imparts a corresponding movement to the valve 206 controlling the supply of oil to the work guide.

The nature and scope of the invention having been indicated, and a machine embodying the several features of the present invention having been specifically described, what is claimed is:

1. A machine for lasting stitchdown shoes having, in combination, a main frame, a pair of rolls in the frame adapted to engage at their bite the out-turned margin of the upper and the projecting margin of the sole of the shoe, means for actuating the rolls to tension the upper over the last, a reciprocating needle, an upwardly extending work support of a width not substantially greater than the diameter of the adjacent roll between which and the end of the said roll the needle operates, and means for mounting the work support in the frame to provide unrestricted free space at the sides of the work support from the upper face of the work support substantially below the lower edge of said adjacent roll.

2. A machine for lasting stitchdown shoes having,.in combination, a main frame, a pair of rolls in the frame adapted to engage at their bite the out-turned margin of the upper and the projecting margin of the sole of the shoe, means for actuating the rolls to tension the upper over the last, a reciprocating needle, an upwardly extending work support of a width not substantially greater than the diameter of the adjacent roll between which and the end of said roll the needle operates, and means for mounting the work support in the frame to permit sliding vertical adjustment relative to the adjacent roll while providing unrestricted free space at the sides of the work support.

3. A machine for lasting stitchdown shoes having, in combination, a main frame, a pair of rolls in the frame adapted to engage at their bite the out-turned margin of the upper and the projecting margin of the sole of the shoe, means for actuating the rolls to tension the upper over the last, a reciprocating needle, a comparatively narrow upwardly extending work support between which and the ends of the rolls the needle operates, and means for'mounting the work support adjustably in the frame comprising a block slidable in the frame towards and from the rolls, the work support being slidable upwardly and downwardly on the block.

4. Amachine for lasting stitchdown shoes hav ing, in combination, a main frame, a pair of rolls in the frame adapted to engage at their bite the out-turned margin of the upper and the projecting margin of the sole of the shoe, means for actuating the rolls to tension the upper over the last, a-reciprocating needle, a comparatively narrow upwardly extending work support between which and the ends of the rolls the needle operates, means for mounting the work support adjustably in the frame comprising a block slidable in the frame towards and from the rolls, the work support being slidable upwardly'and downwardly on the block, clamping means for the work support on the block accessible from the front of the block, and clamping means for the ing margin of the sole of the shoe, means for ac-- tuating the rolls to tension the upper over the last, a reciprocating needle, a comparatively narrow upwardly extending work support between which and the ends of the rolls the needle operates, means for mounting the work support adjustably in the frame for movement towards and from the rolls, and a stop for limiting the movement of the work support on its mounting towards the rolls.

4 6. A machine for lasting stitchdown shoes having, in combination, a main frame, a pair of rolls in the frame adapted to engage at their bite the out-turned margin of the upper and the projecting margin of the sole of the shoe, means for actuating the rolls to tension the upper over the last, a reciprocating needle, a comparatively narrow upwardly extending work support between which and the ends of the rolls the needle operates, a thread cutter mounted on the machine frame in a position to act between the work support and the rolls to sever the thread at the end of a seam, and meansrfor mounting the work support adjustably in the frame both in a direction towards and from the rolls, and in a direction upwardly and downwardly across the center of the sole engaging roll.

7. A machine for lasting stitchdown shoes having, in combination, a main frame, a pair of rolls in the frame adapted to engage at their bite the out-turned margin of the upper and the projecting margin of the sole of the shoe, means for actuating the rolls to cause the upper engaging roll to dispose of the fullness of the upper, a reciprocating needle, a comparatively narrow upwardly extending work support between which and the rolls the needle operates, a thread cutter mounted on the machine frame in a position to act between the work support and the rolls to sever the thread at the end of a seam, a brake mounted on the machine frame acting on the sole engaging roll to ,limit the action of the upper roll in disposing of the fullness of the upper, and means for mount ing the work support adjustably in the frame, both in a direction towards and from the rolls and in a direction upwardly and downwardly across the center of the sole engaging. roll.

8. A machinefor lasting stitchdown shoes having, in combination, a main frame, a pair of rolls in the frame adapted to engage at their bite the out-turned margin of the upper and the projecting margin of the sole of the shoe, means for actuating the rolls to tension the upper over the last, a reciprocating needle, a comparatively narrow upwardly extending work support between which and the rolls the needle operates, a spring operated thread cutter knife mounted on the machine in a position to act between the work support and the rolls to sever the thread at the end of a seam, an adjustable stop for the thread cutter knife on the main frame back of the work support, and means for mounting the work support on the frame for easy detachment to permit adjustment of the cutter knife stop.

9. A machine for lasting stitchdown shoes having, in combination, a main frame, a work supporting roll, an upper engaging roll movable towards and from the work supporting roll for gripping the out-turned upper and sole of the shoe, a movable arm on which the upper engaging roll rotates, a threaded shaft having an enlarged eccentric portion forming an adjustable fulcrum for the roll carrying arm, a nut acting with the enlarged eccentric portion to clamp the shaft in the frame with the upper engaging roll in proper relationto the work supporting roll, and shiftable clamping means arranged to grip the eccentric portion of the shaft for holding the arm against movement along the shaft to prevent lateral displacement of the upper engaging toll.

10. A machine for lasting stitchdown shoes having, in combination, a main frame, a work supporting roll, an upper engaging roll movable towards and from the work supporting roll for gripping the out-turned upper and sole of the shoe, a lever on one arm of which the upper engaging roll rotates, a shaft secured in the frame having an eccentric portion forming an adjustable fulcrum for the roll carrying lever, and stop means for limiting the movement of the other arm of the roll carrying lever towards the frame of the machine.

11. A machine for lasting stitchdown shoes having, in combination, a pair of rolls adapted to engage at their bite the outer portion of the out-turned margin of the upper and the projecting margin of the sole of a stitch-down shoe, a needle arranged for reciprocation between the rolls and the side of the last, a combined guard for the needle and guide for the shoe located close to and in advance of the needle in the line of feed, and means for lubricating the work engaging surface of the guard.

12. A machine for lasting stitchdown shoes having, in combination, a pair of rolls adapted to engage at their bite the outer portion ofthe outturned margin of the upper and the projecting margin of the sole of a stitch-down shoe, a needle arranged for reciprocation betweenthe rolls and the side of the last, a combined guard for the needle and guide for the shoe located close to and in advance of the needle in the line of feed, a driving and stopping mechanism. for bringing the machine to rest, a lubricating conductor leading to the work engaging surface of the guard for the needle, and means connected to the driving and stopping mechanism for causing a'limited supply of lubricant to flow to the guard while the machine is operating and for shutting off the suglply of lubricantwhen the machine comes to res 13. A machine of the class described, having in combination, stitch forming and work feeding and guiding means, including a needle and other work engaging members, means for driving and for stopping the machine, means for conducting lubricant to a work engaging member as the work is fed past said member, a metering device for lubricant to said member while the machine is at rest.

14. A machine of the class described having, in combination, stitch forming and work feeding and guiding means including a needle and other work engaging members, means for driving and for stopping the machine, a lubricant supply, a lubricant metering device, a lubricant receptacle arranged to feed the metering device by gravity, a pump connected to the driving means for the machine to transfer the lubricant tothe lubricant receptacle, an overflow from the receptacle to the supply, means for conducting lubricant from the metering device to a work engaging member as the Work is fed, and a valve operated by the stopping means in bringing the machine to rest to stop the flow of lubricant to said member while the machine is at rest. I

15. A machine of the class described having, in combination, stitch forming and work feeding and guiding means including a needle and other work engaging members, means for driving the machine, a lubricant supply, a lubricant metering device, a lubricant receptacle arranged to feed the metering device by gravity, a pump connected to the driving means for the machine to transfer the lubricant to the lubricant receptacle, an overflow from the receptacle to the supply, and means for conducting lubricant from the'metering device to a work engaging member as the work is fed.

16. A machine for lasting stitchdown shoes having, in combination, a main frame, a pair of rolls in the frame adapted to engage at their bite the out-turned margin of the upper and the projecting margin of the sole of the shoe, means for actuating the rolls to tension the upper over the last, a reciprocating needle, a comparatively narrow upwardly extending work support between which and the ends of the rolls the needle operates, and means for mounting the work support adjustably in the frame comprising a block slidable in the frame towards and from the rolls, the work support being slidable upwardly and downwardly on the block;

' BERNARD T. LEVEQUE. 

